The right time to Increase De Beers stake: Botswana’s mines minister

Botswana’s mines minister Bogolo Kenewendo says it’s “absolutely” the right time to discuss the government increasing its 15 per cent stake in De Beers.

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2025

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She indicated that Anglo American, which owns the other 85 per cent of De Beers, was moving closer to an initial public offering (IPO) and that Botswana was pushing for a larger stake.

Anglo announced last week that it was likely to write down the value of De Beers from its current $7.6bn, as a result of persistent weak diamond demand, especially in China.

Botswana’s diamond, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s export earnings, has been severely hit by the global slump in demand.

In the last nine months of 2024 Debswana – its 50/50 joint venture with De Beers it sold $1.53bn of rough, down 52 per cent on the same period in 2023.

Exceptional Platinum Jewelry Designs Win AGTA Spectrum Awards Competition

More than 60 platinum jewellery entries competed for top honours, recognising exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs and the versatility of platinum across coloured gemstones and pearl jewellery.

Published

16 hours ago

November 7, 2026

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Platinum Guild International (PGI), in partnership with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), is pleased to announce the Platinum Honors winners of the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards.

More than 60 platinum jewelry entries were submitted to the Platinum Honors category, which recognizes outstanding uses of platinum in colored gemstone and natural or cultured pearl jewelry across multiple categories, from Evening Wear to Engagement Rings. PGI also traditionally presents an award for Best Use of Platinum and Color.

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The AGTA Spectrum Awards competition was held at the Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star in Dallas, where Jenny Luker, President, PGI USA, judged the Platinum Honors category.

“The AGTA Spectrum Awards bring together an extraordinary range of platinum jewelry, and the level of design innovation, technical execution, and artistry is exceptional,” said Luker. “It’s exciting to see so many talented designers exploring the material in different ways, creating intricate, distinctive pieces that showcase the versatility of platinum.”

AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. thanked PGI for its sponsorship of the Spectrum Awards and extended his congratulations to the Platinum Honors winners. “Receiving a Platinum Honors distinction from PGI is one of the industry’s highest achievements,” he said. “We were happy to see Platinum so well represented among the AGTA Spectrum entries, which increased by 21% this year.”

Platinum’s potential for design innovation and technical accomplishment was exemplified by several of this year’s AGTA Spectrum Award winners.

The Best of Show award and 1st Place in Classical Wear was awarded to “Can’t Look Away,” a necklace by Lezlie Slavens of Luxe Fine Jewelry and collaborators. The design features a carved Paraiba tourmaline backed in platinum, suspended from a diamond-accented platinum chain and illuminated by a magnet-activated LED light source.

The Art Deco-inspired “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet by Joseph Dardashti, in Platinum with Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Diamonds, and Onyx, won 1st Place in the Spectrum Awards’ Evening Wear category and also received a Platinum Honors distinction in the same category.

Jeffrey Bilgore’s Mahenge Spinel and Diamond “Neuvelle Moi et Toi Forever” Platinum ring received the Stuller Color of the Year Award, a new category honoring exceptional interpretations of Stuller’s “Signature Red”, and won 2nd Place in the Spectrum Awards’ Classical category.

The honour of 1st Place in the Bridal category went to Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems, Inc. for his Platinum ring featuring a 5.32 ct. Paraiba Tourmaline, accented by Tourmaline (1.05 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.69 ctw.).

New entrant Shelby Lichtenstein was awarded 1st Place in Engagement Rings with her Platinum “Something New, Something Blue” ring, featuring a 4.50 ct. blue emerald-cut Zircon accented by Diamonds (0.26 ctw.).

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“Because of platinum’s durability, strength, and tensile properties, designers can achieve things that might not be possible with other metals,” said Luker. “Whether it’s intricate micro pavé work or delicate prongs, platinum allows for exceptional precision while ensuring that gemstones remain secure.”

Across all categories of the Spectrum Awards competition, noteworthy platinum jewelry trends included bezel settings in engagement rings, designs that paired platinum with moonstones for a dreamy, elegant white-on-white effect, and brooches for both men and women that incorporated multiple gemstone types in an array of cuts and sizes.

“The level of design this year was incredible,” said Luker. “I was particularly impressed by the innovation and execution. Platinum plays such a wonderful supporting role to gemstones, and that relationship has endured—and will endure—forever.”

AGTA Spectrum – Platinum Guild International (PGI) Platinum Honors

Best Use of Platinum & Color

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Roland Krainz, Krainz Creations – Platinum “Ambrosia” necklace featuring Opals accented by Diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphires, and tsavorite Garnets (140.80 ctw.).

Best Use of Platinum Crown

Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – Platinum “Everest” ring featuring a 9.70 ct. cushion-cut Tanzanite accented by Diamonds (1.67 ctw.).

Bridal Wear

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – Platinum “JuneStones for June Brides” necklace featuring a 27.02 ct. blue-sheen oval Moonstone accented by a 7.95 ct. natural conch Pearl, Alexandrites (3.23 ctw.), and Diamonds (10.36 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear

Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation – Platinum stretchable ring with titanium springs featuring a 5.42 ct. natural oval cabochon black Opal accented by Diamonds (5.15 ctw.) and Sapphires (3.28 ctw.).

Classical

Eve Streicker, Original Eve Designs, in collaboration with Rohan Agrawal – Platinum “Zellige” brooch featuring marquise-shaped Aquamarines (8.40 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (0.28 ctw.).

Engagement Rings

Underwood Design Team, Underwood’s Fine Jewelers – Platinum ring featuring a 3.66 ct. cushion-shaped Sapphire accented by Diamonds (1.22 ctw.).

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Evening Wear

Joseph Dardashti, Joseph Dardashti, Ltd. – Platinum and 18K yellow gold “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet featuring Rubies (5.90 ctw.), blue Sapphires (3.75 ctw.), and Emeralds (0.70 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (6.50 ctw.) and Onyx (0.75 ctw.).

Innovative Design

Cari Goldman, Pieces by Cari, LLC, in collaboration with Alexsey Yarnikh – Platinum “Love Spun” ring featuring marquise crystal Opals (2.24 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (1.0 ctw.).

Men’s Wear

Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – Platinum “Siren’s Relic” ring featuring a 5.35 ct. emerald-cut Zoisite.

These highlights offer a glimpse of the exceptional work recognized in the 2026 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. We invite you to explore the complete collection of winning entries at AGTA.org and discover the artistry behind each award.

Many of the winning pieces will be on display during AGTA GemFair Tucson, January 31–February 4, 2027, at the Tucson Convention Center. For AGTA members and the wider trade, it is an opportunity to appreciate the gems and craftsmanship up close, connect with the community behind them and find inspiration for what comes next.